Sports
Marathon Organisers Lament Failed N400m Deal
The Director-General, Onitsha Business School, Prof Olusegun Sogbesan, has regretted their inability to seal a five-year N400m sponsorship deal for the Onitsha City Marathon.
Sogbesan told journalists in Onitsha, Anambra State on Wednesday that the deal broke down due to the state government’s attitude towards endorsing the Marathon.
He said the state government’s approval was a precondition for willing sponsors to enter into agreement with the organisers and put down their money.
He said, “Lack of cooperation from the previous administration affected the sponsorship of the programme.
“We lost huge amount of money, Anambra State lost that money, and just one bank alone had agreed to sponsor the marathon to the tune of N400m for a five-year period.
“That would have helped to build three sports centres in the state; it would have improved the rating of the marathon itself with additional certification, added great value to the city and impacted greatly on the media community here.”
Sogbesan said the maiden edition of the marathon held in 2019 was a huge success in spite of the challenges, noting that it could not hold in 2020 due to COVID-19.
“We have not had the second edition of the Onitsha City Marathon because of the dysfunctional society and the people who are in positions that would have played the right roles that could have added value to the society.
“Not that the state will sponsor it, but some of the corporate organisations that indicated interest to sponsor it wanted to have confirmation from the state but, that, we lost,” he said.
The renowned professor said that the Onitsha City Marathon organisers had started a conversation with the new chairman of the Anambra Sports Development Commission, Patrick Onyedum.
He said the commission’s chairman had shown tremendous interest in the marathon and that negotiations were ongoing on how to return the marathon so that local and international long distance runners could compete for glory on the streets of Onitsha.
“We still have our certification; a visiting assessor from IAAF said Onitsha had the best marathon route in Africa. We are willing to work with the Anambra government to develop the sector,” Sogbesan added.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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